A view of the now demolished buildings on Waterford’s north wharf in 1970, with the Ardree Hotel under construction in the distance.

Situated on the grounds of the former Fleming’s (aka Larry Forristal’s) Castle, it was built by the Breen Group at a cost of £800,000 and the official opening took place with a gala cabaret headlined by Brendan Bower and The Royal Showband on November 6th that year.

Taoiseach Jack Lynch was guest of honour at a local Fianna Fáil gathering the following weekend at which Sinn Féin protests were staged.

Offering views of Tramore Church, Sliabh na mBan and Great Island power station from the top floor, the six-storey 109-bedroom “hotel of the future” was the premier destination for visitors to the city, and functions, for decades.

It was taken over by Jurys Hotel Group in the mid-nineties. After being sold, it became the McEniff Ard Rí Hotel. However, it was closed after a fire in 2005, before being bought by Cork businessman Tom Coughlan the following year. The economic crash put paid to his plans for a hotel, apartments and nursing home.

The derelict property was purchased in 2017 by Waterford Castle owner Seamus Walsh who announced his intention to re-open it as a hotel. However, he subsequently put the 45-acre site on the market, but it hasn’t changed hands since.

It’s hoped the North Quays project will revive interest in this monumental eyesore overlooking the city.